Magic Tilley snatches it at death to sink Clough

CRAWLEY boss John Yems felt a “bit of magic” from substitute James Tilley was enough to give his side their fourth successive home win.

Tilley settled the issue in stoppage time by beating keeper Marek Stech at his near post with a fierce low shot.

Tilley was also the matchwinner in similar circumstances as Crawley beat Colchester 1-0 last month.

Yems said: “It was one of those games when a mistake or a bit of magic would settle it, and fortunately for us Tilley came up with the magic.

“With so many games being played, tiredness is creeping in and I thought this game was heading for 0-0.”

Crawley have not conceded a goal while winning their last four home games and Yems added: “We have some good players here. We have to keep it going. Clean sheets are important – you start with one and if you finish with one you have a chance of getting something in the end.”

Mansfield, fresh from their 3-1 home win over high-riding Cheltenham, threatened early on when an overhead kick by striker Jamie Reid was saved by keeper Glenn Morris.

Reid went close again midway through the half when he headed wide from nine yards after good work by Stephen Quinn.

Crawley, unchanged for a third game, failed to work Stech when Ashley Nadesan could not get a shot off after Jordan Maguire-Drew’s cross.

Reid drove over the bar after Stech held a rasping shot from Tom Nichols at the other end.

Stech produced a fine save to deny Nichols again shortly after the break, blocking a goalbound shot after good work by Archie Davies.

Nichols later drove disappointingly wide after a cutback from Nadesan.

Tilley’s late goal was enough to send Mansfield to their fourth successive away defeat and

Stags boss Nigel Clough said: “It looked like it would finish 0-0, but we didn’t deal with the goal properly.

“Up until then we did OK in patches. If we had hung on, it wouldn’t have been a bad result.

“The first half was lacklustre and it was the same for Crawley with all the games we are having to play – it takes a lot out of the players. Maybe fresh players will be needed to make a difference.”